Women in Science Research: Dr. Reisa Sperling BACK

Published by AFAR

 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and the work you are currently doing.

I am a behavioral neurologist, who has been working in aging and Alzheimer's disease clinical research for about 14 years. My current research is focused on understanding the basis of memory dysfunction in cognitive aging and very early Alzheimer's disease (AD). We are combining molecular, functional, and structural imaging techniques to study healthy older individuals. In particular, we are working to determine if clinically normal older subjects with high amyloid burden are in the preclinical stages of AD, and what factors predict cognitive decline or resilience to pathology. Although much of my current work is aimed at understanding the earliest brain dysfunction in AD, I also run several clinical trials in patients with MCI and AD dementia. I greatly hope our work will help move the field towards much earlier intervention, at a stage when disease-modifying therapies are likely to be most efficacious.

What motivated you to enter into Alzheimer's research? The motivation for Alzheimer's research was really two-fold for me. I have always been fascinated by memory, as I believe our memories really make us who we are. In particular, I am interested in how the brain forms new memories, and what are the neural correlates of successful vs. failed memory processes. Alzheimer's disease is, unfortunately, a fascinating model to study how new memory formation fails, despite intact storage of memories from decades ago.

The second motivation is very personal. My grandfather, who was a life-long learner who spoke multiple languages and was ballroom dancing into his late 70's, developed dementia when I was applying to medical school. I will never forget how we lost "him" to what was likely Alzheimer's disease over a few short years, even though he lived for almost another decade. Whenever I see patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia in my clinic practice, and the emotional, financial, and social toll this disease takes on them and their families, it is a constant motivation that we must do something to stop this disease before individuals develop dementia.

In general, do you feel there are certain barriers for women entering (and staying) in science research climates? If so, in what way?

I have to say that, in general, I don't think that being a woman has been a major barrier to my own research career. There have definitely been some times of challenge, in particular, having two young daughters during the period I was trying to launch a clinical research program. I think that figuring out the best time to start a family is a challenge for women in highly competitive research fields, and it remains challenging throughout, as although men often share family responsibilities (my husband definitely does!), there are certain times when the "mom" just has to drop everything and be there.

It is also sometimes the case that being ambitious in one's career advancement or forceful in one's scientific opinions is not seen as a desirable attribute in women. I think it is often that we want "to be liked" by our colleagues, and it is sometimes tricky to find the right balance to achieve respect without being viewed as strident or too aggressive.

What piece of advice would you give to women interested in pursuing a career in science research?

Figure out what questions really turns you on, and what methods you like to probe those questions. Realize that you can't do everything all at once all of the time!

Get a lot of help at home - our nannies were probably my best investments ever!  Find someone to help take care of you and the house - if you want to spend your time thinking about science and having fun with your family - someone else can make sure there is always toilet paper in the house!

 

Dr. Reisa Sperling's research has been published in numerous journals and her findings continue to make national news.  She is the director of the Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment and associate professor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School;  director of Clinical Research, Memory Disorders Unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital; and director of the Neuroimaging Program at Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Dr. Sperling received a 2003 Paul Beeson Career Development Award in Aging Research.